Ximprovement i in gas-sviaking apparatus



J'. S.v WILLIAMS. GAS-MAKING APPARATUS.

Patented My 23, v1876.

In aan /or lNJETEHS. PHOI-D-LITHOGRAPHER. wAsmNGTOIL D. C.

UNITED STATE JACOB `S. WILLIAMS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN GAS-MAKING APPARATUS.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. A779909, dated May 23, 1876; application filed I February 525, 1876.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, vJAcoB S. WILLIAMS, of the city 'of St. Louis, county ot' St. Louis and State of Missouri, haveinven'ted certain new vheavier than atmospheric air, to be used for lighting or heatingpurposes.

To enable othersto understand the construction and use of my invention I describe it as follows: v

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the cups, with reticulated plate and wicking attached. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of cups F and pipes E E Fig. 4,'horizontalsection of reticulated plates.

A represents the case `or shell of the machine; B, the air-induction pipe; O, theliquid-induction pipe; D, the upper and principal chamber which irst receives the liquid and air, and from 'which the other chambers are supplied with both; E E, vertical pipes through which gasoline and air pass from the upper chamber D to those below it in succession; F F, cups ot' varying capacities to contain the liquid not held in absorption by the wicking, having close bottoms, with vertical 'pipes E E inserted therein t'or the passage of air and gasoline.; G Gr, saturating-chambers, which may be multiplied or enlarged, as required, to be lled with wicking or other absorbent, to hold at least a portion of the liquid in absorption. Through this wicking the air will pass and become charged with gasoline. H H, reticulated plates or wirecloth attachcd to, but held about one inch below, the bottoms of the cups F F. From these plates the wicking H2 is suspended in a vertical position, the lower end being immersed in the liquid contained in the cup next below. I, dclector or guard to prevent the liquid from drippinginto the gas-eductiou pipe K, as also to force the gas to pass through the wicking in the chamber J. J the lower chamber, to re- 'ccive and retain any surplus gasoline until drawn oft' by the cock L. Into this chamber, also, flows the gas which has been' gene-rated in the chambers above, and held in readiness Vthe best results.

1f it is desired that the machine should contain the liquid in absorption only the cups may be omitted, in which case the wicking will not quite touch the perforated plates below, for in that event a large portion of the gasoline it would otherwise contain would be drawn from it, necessitating more frequent filling, and producing a gas not so rich; but

it it is desired that the machine should work upto its full capacity, the cups should be retained, iii which case 'the lower end of the Vwicking would be immersed in the liquid in the cups so long as any remains, and thus supply to the wicking the gasoline taken from lit by the air in passing.

been partially charged. This extra absorp-v tion is sought to be, in part, provided for by placing a deep cup in the upper chamber, when the other cups are omitted, to contain a quantity of liquid, which is supplied to the chambers next below through strands ot' wicking in the pipes EE, one end of which falls into the cup, and the other connects with the wicking in the chamber below.

The saturating-chanibers are made shallow, for the reason that the absorbent will not thoroughly saturate more than five or six inches above the surface of the liquid, and will not fully retain the liquid more than that distance above its lower end when suspended vertically.

Atmospheric air charged with gasoline is of greater specific gravity than air not charged, and will seek a lower level. This is the principle on which the operation of my machine depends, by which the gas is generated only y when and as it is used.

and its connections, expelling the atmospheric air until it reaches the opening where it is to be consumed,h and as the contents of the several chambers descend to those below and into the eduction-pipe K the outer air will ow through the induction-pipe B and the smaller pipes E E, to supply the place ot' the descending gas, which process will continue so long as air and gasoline to saturate it are supplied and the gas is escaping Without other force than its own gravity. I

The air-induction pipe B is extended some distance above the top of the machine, so as to give a better and more uniform pressure and to prevent the evaporation, escape, and consequent loss of gasoline, as well as the disagreeable odor or danger that might accrue from its accumulation.

When fully charged this apparatus may produce gas too rich in its carbureting material, and more expensive than necessary, which eiv'ect may be counteracted by admiting air into the upper part of the final or lowest receptacle of the series, said air descending from an altitude at least as high asthe top of the apparatus, through a tube or pipe, governed, preferably, by a cock of graduated dow.

. The pipes E are graduated from one and a halt' to three inches in height, and the cups F are of varying depths corresponding thereto, for the purpose before stated.

Having fully described my invention and its operation, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent y 1. In a gravity gas-generating machine, the combination with the top chamber D and the induction air and liquid pipes B C at the top thereof, of the reticulated plate H, to which is attached the pendent wicking H2, arranged immediately below the entrance of the pipes into the chamber and the tubes E, immediately below the wicking, as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The combination of the chamber J, the gas-eduction pipe K, and the deector or guard I, surrounding pipe K, as set forth.

3. The combination, with the graduated overiiow-tubes E and chambers G, ofthe cups I F of varying capacities, as and for the purpose stated.-

4. The distinct top chamber D, provided with the induction air and liquid pipes B O, and the distinct 'bottom chamber J, provided With the gas-eduction pipe K, andthe Wastecock L, in combination with one or more intermediate distinct ch ambers, G, provided each with cups, overioW-tubes, and wicking, suspended as described, and in which the air entering at the top by gravity is delivered at the bottom chamber J for use.

JACOB S. WILLIAMS. Witnesses: M. G. LIBBY, JNO. R. WILLIAMS. 

